John M. Bates, 73, was found deceased in his home in Burns, Wyoming on September 19, 2017. John was born on May 22, 1944 in Hobbs, New Mexico to Francis J. and Helen M. Bates. John proudly served in the United States Army, most notably with the 32nd ADA Brigade in Butzbach, Germany and the island of Crete. After serving in the Army, he worked primarily in transportation as a truck driver. John worked for many years for Elite Cleaners here in Cheyenne and for Red Horse Oil in Rock Springs. John loved the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman and loved spending time with his family. John was also a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Cheyenne, as well as a voracious reader and a diverse collector. He was raised on a farm in southern Minnesota and never lost his passion for the agrarian lifestyle and was in the process of renewing that connection at his recently purchased property in Burns, affectionately referred to as “The Ranch”. John is survived by his son, Brandon Bates; daughter, Brenda Hildreth; five grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Leanne and Splinter Wrenn; and lifelong friend and companion, Karen Johnson. John was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Shelly, his parents and grandparents. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 25, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in the Lakeview Chapel at Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home. A memory service with military honors will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Lakeview Chapel at Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home with a reception in the Schrader Reception Center. A private interment will take place at Beth El Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church or the Merci Train @ American Legion Post #6, 2201 Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001.